Consumer Reports: Small Slow Cooker, Digital Slow Cooker And Panini Makers

Panini Makers: Rustic Italian Sandwiches With Flavor

Stuff two slices of of rustic Italian bread with mozzarella, prosciutto, fresh basil, roasted red peppers, and whatever else takes your fancy, brush with olive oil, then press between the hot plates of this grill for the best panini outside Italy. The panini makers nonstick plates are hinged to adjust to any thickness of sandwich, meat, fish, or vegetables, and the bottom plate slants slightly to allow grease and juices to drain off into the included panini makers plastic cup. Brunch sandwich guests will ooh and aah over the retro-look mirror-and-glitter finish of the grill with its wide sweep of a handle.

A round polished knob lets you set and see just the right temperature in a small glass window. Measuring 14 by 12-1/2 by 5 inches, the grill maker includes a cord wrap and locks for upright storage. A comprehensive gift-quality recipe book featuring more than 60 recipes for panini, bruschetta, and spreads comes with the grill, which is covered by a limited 1-year warranty.

Small Slow Cooker: A Meal Made Just For You

This small slow cooker is a quality product, perfect for cooking for 1-3 people (smaller families, college students, etc.). I highly recommend it. It is so easy to use and fuss-free. Also, most smaller crock pots have only one setting, but this one has three (high, low, and keep warm). It has a nice glass lid and a removable ceramic crock, both of which you can clean in the dishwasher. This small slow cooker I use mine at least a few times a week, and I’m very satisfied with the purchase. It’s the perfect size for 2-3 chicken breast halves, a small pork roast or a pork tenderloin or two, a nice small pot of soup, etc. You should get enough for a meal today plus leftovers for a couple of additional small slow cooker meals.

Digital Slow Cooker: Cuisinart Scores Big For Programmable Cookers

Programmable or digital technology makes homemade meals easier than ever! This Cuisinart Slower Cooker features 24 hour programmable countdown timer, three cooking modes- and it automatically shifts to Warm when it’s done cooking! Whether preparing one-pot entrees, sides, or desserts, operation is easy. Slow cooker meals can be served in the ceramic pot they’re cooked in, and cleanup is dishwasher-quick. Designed for today’s busy lifestyles, all the work is done ahead of time. Dinnertime is as relaxing for the cook as it is for the diners.

In researching our digital slow cooker purchase and reading numerous reviews, we found that the Cuisinart digital slow cooker generally received positive evaluations. There were a few negative ones, but obviously we discounted them and went ahead with the Cuisinart anyway. Some reviewers criticized it for overheating food, but overheating in a slow cooker is usually a sign that the pot was underfilled. A good slow cooker should have the power to heat a full pot to over 200 F, so it should come as no surprise that the heater can boil a low pot. The Cuisinart instructions specifically warn against under filled pots, and we have had no overheating problems with even half-full pots.

Daily Product Reports: Slow Cooker Cookbooks, Best Slow Cooker And Rival Slow Cookers

Slow Cooker Cookbooks: Your Mom Knew How To Cook In Crock Pots

According to the authors, 80% of American households own a slow cooker. This whopping collection of 350 recipes is reason enough to unearth that Crock-Pot from the attic or invest in one of the new high-tech models. The title, however, is a misnomer, and not just because the book includes a recipe for "Mom’s Beef Stew." Much of what Hensperger (The Bread Bible) and Kaufmann (coauthor, with Hensperger, of The Ultimate Rice Cooker Cookbook) present is exactly the kind of comfort food typically associated with childhood snow days or family gatherings. To use the word "hearty" in describing these slow cooker cookbooks recipes is to state the obvious. There are more than a dozen oatmeals and porridges, ranging from Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal to Creamy Cornmeal Porridge.

Cookbook recipes include Vegetarian Split Pea, French Onion, and White Bean with Bacon. Twenty-four types of baked beans are mere prelude for the 14 chili options, including "Senator Barry Goldwater’s Arizona Chili" (which gives new meaning to the phrase "bowl of red"). Other recipes are for poultry, meat and fish dishes, and New and Old World dishes are plentiful. The only letdown is the "Not-from-the-Slow Cooker Accompaniments" chapter, with its uninspired choices like Baked Rice, and Mixed Green Salad. But the concluding pages, full of puddings and fruit desserts, atone with sinful treats like Chocolate Peanut Butter Pudding Cake and Rum-Butterscotch Bananas.

Best Slow Cooker: Hamilton Beach Delivers A Digital Beast

Enjoy healthy, home-cooked meals even with a busy schedule thanks to this easy-to-use programmable 6-quart best slow cooker. Simply add ingredients to the unit’s oval-shaped stoneware pot, insert the pot into the electric base, and select one of three automatic-cooking options–program, manual, or probe–using the flat-panel push-button control panel with digital display. Especially convenient when away from home, program mode cooks for a specified amount of time, then automatically shifts to keep-warm so food doesn’t overcook. Manual mode allows this best slow cooker for selecting high or low heat settings–great for slow cooking the traditional way without setting the time or for heating up previously cooked food.

When slow cooking a large cut of meat or using a recipe that requires food to reach a certain temperature, use the probe mode. The included thermometer probe takes the guesswork out of slow cooking. After reaching the desired internal food temperature, the slow cooker automatically shifts to keep-warm. The thoughtfully designed slow cooker also provides attractive stainless-steel housing, power-interrupt protection, a clip-on spoon, a clip-tight gasket lid, and full-grip handles for safe transport.

Rival Slow Cookers: The Original Crockpots

When set on low for all-day simmering, this cooker from the makers of the original Rival Slow Cooker Crock Pot slowly tenderizes meat, turning even budget cuts into juicy meals. A modest 3-1/2-quart size, the oval-shaped crock holds enough chicken, beef, stew or soup for two to three people. The temperature knob has three settings: off, low, and high. The Rival slow cookers, which lifts from the base for cleaning, features a rinse-clean, lifetime stick-resistant coating. As long as extreme changes in temperature are avoided, such as placing in cold water when hot, the crock should give years of service. Both the Rival crock and lid are dishwasher-safe. Rival offers a one-year warranty that covers this slow cooker from defects.

Weekly Product Recommendations: Basement Dehumidifiers – Hot Tools Curling Irons – Conair Curling Irons

Basement Dehumidifiers: Whisper Quiet Operation And Automatic Defrost

The first portable basement dehumidifiers on the market, weighing less than half that of other models. It has built-in wheels and a carrying handle, allowing it to be transported with little effort. With 40 pint large capacity front removable water bucket.40-pint dehumidifier with removable reservoir tank; optional continuous-drainage port. Full-bucket indicator alarm; automatic shut-off prevents overflow; washable air filter. Adjustable humidistat; whisper-quiet operation; automatic defrost.

Effortlessly remove excess moisture from the air with this energy-efficient basement dehumidifiers. Great for damp basements or any musty room of the house, the unit not only helps allergy sufferers breathe easier, it also helps prevent problems often caused by excess humidity–peeling paint, damaged wood, and mold growth. Durable rolling casters make it easy to move the lightweight dehumidifier from room to room, wherever it’s needed most.

The basement dehumidifier quietly removes up to 40 pints of water from the air every 24 hours. When the water bucket has filled to capacity, the unit will automatically shut off and the "bucket full" indicator will light up. Water can be automatically emptied by attaching a standard garden hose (not included) to the continuous drainage port on the side of the dehumidifier. This will allow the unit to run continuously without having to empty the water bucket. The dehumidifier also provides a push-button electronic control panel.

Hot Tools Curling Irons: Barrel Temperature Remains Constant Curl After Curl

Hot Tools curling irons electronics sensor in iron’s barrel detects heat loss and signals heating system to boost iron’s heat. Constant heat – Barrel temperature remains constant curl after curl, allowing stylist to work quickly while attaining consistent results. Ready to use in 60 seconds. And the iron continues to build heat even if it is used before selected temperature is reached. 10 variable heat settings – Built-in rheostat control provides 10 settings from low, for fine or chemically treated hair, to high for thick, coarse hair.

Hot Tools Curling Irons offers far infrared and gentle ceramic heating to preserve hair moisture, reduce frizz and prevent hair damage, this iron will deliver high style. Reaches a temperature up to 428 degrees F for the most stubborn hair types, but separate on/off switches and variable heat settings allow the built-in Rheostat to memorize your favorite heat settings. Plus, this curling iron features incredible comfortable control – a soft grip spring handle with spring clamp and extra long thumb grip make using this tool easy.

Superior mica heating system – Mica heater covers entire inner surface of barrel to distribute heat faster and more evenly than conventional irons. A steel bar connects the barrel to the handle providing a more secure construction and prevents handle from bending under pressure applied during use. This ceramic curling iron from Hot Tools with a 1 inch barrel has great features to rival more expensive irons.

Conair Curling Irons: You’ll Have Bouncing Curls To Impress Within Minutes

Welcome to the world of Eurostyling, where Conair Curling Irons heat up in less than a minute, where you can choose between 15 different temperature settings for any hair type, and where, if left unattended, your curling iron automatically turns off. Conair’s 3/4-inch curling iron is ideal for creating those tight-to-medium curls. Featuring dual voltage settings, the iron lets you select either standard North American 125-volt or 250-volt foreign electricity operation, so you can use your Eurocurler when you’re in Europe.

Conair Curling Irons combines micro particles of tourmaline ceramic and silver for a unique fusion that emits frizz-reducing natural ions and creates shiny, healthy-looking hair. Includes free protective heat shield for safe and easy storage. Emits natural ions to help eliminate frizz and infrared energy protects hair’s natural luster. Even heat with no damaging hot spots.

Its sure-grip handle has a patented design for greater control and precision, and the electronic on/off touch pad is easy to use. If you forget to turn off the curler, the Conair Curling Iron will automatically shut itself off. With a 45-second heat-up time and a flashing indicator light that lets you know when you can start styling, you’ll have bouncing curls to impress within minutes. And with a two-year limited warranty, you’ll be curling for years to come.

Product Niche Finder: Small Dehumidifier – Bio Ionic Flat Iron – Babyliss Curling Iron

Small Dehumidifier: Compact Size Is Perfect For Bathrooms, Closets, And R.V.s

A good choice for a small dehumidifier which makes it light and quiet. It is perfect for bathrooms, and small to mid-sized rooms where dampness and humidity are a problem. This unit is small enough to easily fit on your desk or workbench. It extracts the moisture from the air and stores it in a spill-proof reservoir. Just plug it in and it quietly dries the air. Features an automatic shut off switch to shut the unit off when the water reservoir is full.

A small dehumidifier is perfect for more robust moisture problems that require more power. This unit utilizes whisper technology that allows for extra quiet operation. The unit will remove moisture from the air quietly and efficiently using less electricity than a 75 watt light bulb. The 1100 will effect an area of 1100 cubic feet. Just plug it into an electrical outlet and the unit will quietly attack moisture and protect your valuables from moisture damage.

Renewable Eva-Dry dehumidifiers are filled with silica gel, a very thirsty substance. Odorless silica beads absorb many times their weight in moisture and lock it in so water can’t leak or spill out.When the small dehumidifier you renew the silica inside by plugging the unit into any power outlet. Heat gently releases water vapor in a few hours. When the indicator is blue again, Eva-Dry is renewed and ready to go back to work. You can repeat the process for up to 10 years!

Bio Ionic Flat Iron: Faster Straightening And Increased Shine

Bio Ionic Flat Iron is the leader in ion-powered haircare. It is a revolutionary, patented system that harnesses the power of natural negative ions to help recondition and retexturize hair. Bio Ionic’s salon-only, professional-use products contain Nanolonic Complex (a blend of natural-occurring minerals) that emits Natural Negative Ions in to the hair. Nanolonic Complex is powerful enough to break down clusters of water molecules into fine particles that penetrate the hair shaft, to re-hydrate, re-condition and restore moisture balance.

Bio Ionic Flat Iron are faster, more effective and condition hair without flattening the cuticle.They feature Nano-Ionic Hybrid Mineral Technology, variable temperature settings for different hair types and leave the hair smooth, shiny, healthy and hydrated. See and feel the difference! After using the Bio Ionic product system, hair feels smooth, super-soft and looks silky shiny.

The Fastest Straightening Iron Ever! The Bio Ionic Flat Iron OnePass Iron represents a true break-through in straightening iron technology. The OnePass allows users to straighten hair in half the time compared to traditional irons. This is the professional’s 1 choice in irons! Straightens hair from the inside out Allows for quick styling without damage Leaves a smooth, silky feel Gentle and conditioning BioCeramic 5 Sec. Heaters. Lightning Fast Instant heat-up and recovery while maintaing constant heat Straighten hair faster.

Babyliss Curling Iron: Porcelain Barrel Creates Silky, Smooth Curls

Conventional curling iron performance cannot meet the professional stylist’s needs. In the demanding salon environment, a Babyliss Curling Iron must have the ability to heat up fast, avoid heat loss so the stylist may work quickly while achieving consistent curl quality, and variable heat with a full range of temperatures, from extra high setting for coarse, or ethnic hair to a low setting for fine, damaged or treated hair. These demanding requirements led to Babyliss Curling Iron innovative, and very effective, combination of high power and electronics.

The Babyliss Curling Iron with Patented Instant Heat Technology 1½ Inch Barrel with fast accurate heat and variable temperature control up to 400°F provides increased heat distribution, eliminating the damaging hot spots found with other irons. When introduced to heat, ceramic is known to emit negative ions & far infared heat to smooth, renew and revitalize your hair. Dual Voltage Flat Iron tourmaline ionic straightener and curler with all the luxury and amenities of a full sized flat iron.

Ceramic technology offers many outstanding advantages and is the #1 tool used by the professional beauty industry. Ceramic prevents uncontrolled rise in temperatures and allows for more even heat distribution, so silky, smooth hair is easily achieved. Additionally, ceramic is an alternative material for styling tools that offers increased surface touchiness. Neutralizing and Rinsing – Balances the charge and ensures a clean surface.

Daily Product Reports: Infrared Turkey Fryer, Turkey Fryer Pot And Indoor Turkey Fryer

Infrared Turkey Fryer: Char Broil Big Easy Is Full Of Style

The Char-Broil Big Easy oil-less infrared turkey fryer represents the next step forward in utilizing infrared style cooking. This infrared patented technology takes the mess and hassle out of cooking a perfect turkey (up to 16 lbs.) or other large cut of meat (chickens, pork tenderloings, or beef roasts). With no hot cooking oil to purchase, splatter, or dispose of, the Char-Broil Big Easy Turkey Fryer is the delicious, safe and easy alternative to oil-fried turkey. Cooking is done inside a double-wall cylindrical cooking chamber, powered by a fully enclosed propane burner. Char Broil’s Infrared Turkey Fryer patented Heat Wave infrared technology delivers juicy, crisp, flavorful results every time. Your favorite marinades can be injected and even dry rubs and sauces can be used for added flavor.

Ask anyone to describe food prepared inside The Big Easy and "juicy" is the first word you’re likely to hear – followed by tender, moist, and flavorful. Instead of oil, the infrared heat penetrates the meat evenly and seals the juices inside. The result is a bird that’s moist inside and crispy outside—just as fried turkey should be.

Turkey Fryer Pot: Constructed Of Cast Iron

Constructed from commercial-grade aluminum and cast iron, this outdoor turkey fryer pot kit features a 30-quart stockpot with a tall, narrow shape that requires less cooking oil than a standard stockpot. Specifically designed for frying whole turkeys, the pot facilitates a circular flow of oil for an even cooking temperature throughout. The turkey fryer pot perforated poultry rack with a grab hook makes it easy to safely insert and remove the turkey from the pot, while its 12-inch stainless-steel deep-fry thermometer is perfect for maintaining a constant temperature of cooking oil when frying.

The turkey fryer pot offers not only everything needed to fry a whole turkey in as little as 45 minutes, but it also includes a 10-quart fry pot for frying chicken, fish, or a batch of corn fritters, plus a large steam/boil basket, which is ideal for boiling crawfish, shrimp, and vegetables. The outdoor gas burner with its cast-iron reversible grate provides exceptional cooking performance, while its solid leg design ensures stability. Other useful features include a 10-PSI regulator, a vented lid, as well as a 1-ounce trial seasoning injector and a 3.2-ounce seasoning sample.

Indoor Turkey Fryer: Inject Your Turkeys With Marinades

Indoor Turkey Fryer cooked in The Big Easy are prepared the same way as in traditional indoor fryers and can be injected with marinades. However, The Big Easy allows for the use of rubs and seasoning flavor to be used on the outside, which can wash away with traditional turkey fryers. A removable drip pan located underneath indoor turkey fryer heating chamber catches all the bird’s flavorful juices, allowing cooks to retain the essential ingredients of homemade gravy for further preparation on the stovetop.

A healthy alternative to indoor oil frying, the Char-Broil Big Easy actually does more than just fry turkeys—it can also safely cook chicken, pork tenderloin, beef roast and most large cuts of meat up to 16 pounds, all in about eight to 10 minutes per pound. Doneness is determined not by cook time, but by the turkey fryer’s internal temperature, which is safely measured using a meat thermometer, included with The Big Easy.

Product Ratings Include Epicurean Cutting Board And Cutting Board Oil

Epicurean Cutting Board: Green Cutting Boards

Epicurean Cutting Boards are a practical and distinctive improvement from poly, glass and wood cutting boards. They have all of the best qualities and none of the bad-in one highly functional surface. Every design is thoughtfully detailed for functionality in use, clean up and storage. This Epicurean Cutting board is designed to fit in the dishwasher and is NSF approved, so that you can be assured that they will be easy to clean and will not harbor bacteria. Cutting on Epicurean Cutting Surfaces will not dull your knives because the surface will score slightly, which helps it protect your knife’s edge. This Epicurean Cutting Board is made with a non-porous wood fiber composite from trees harvested under guidelines of the North America Sustainable Forestry Standards. Epicurean Cutting Boards resist staining and cracking, and are heat resistant up to 350°.

Cutting Board Oil: Snow River Mineral Oil Does It Right

Snow River began in Vermont in a small shop along the Connecticut River. Although no longer located in its original small factory, Snow River is still dedicated to fabricating beautiful wood cutting boards and tabletop pieces. They use the best woods available, including Canadian Maple, Indiana Walnut, Pennsylvania Cherry, and Wisconsin Birch and Maple. Snow River’s Wood Cutting Board Oil will help maintain the natural beauty of your wood cutting boards, salad bowls, servers, and more. Food Safe, of course, it will protect and preserve fine wood products. Simply apply the cutting board oil with a soft cloth in the direction of the grain and let soak in for a few minutes and then wipe with a clean, soft cloth. The mineral oil is odorless and tasteless.